Cargo vessel MV Sta. Monica-A1 was reported missing on October 27 2024. PCG Southern Tagalog/Facebook

MANILA — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Friday said it was possible that cargo vessel MV Sta Monica A1 managed to take shelter amid the onslaught of severe tropical storm Kristine. 

MV Sta. Monica was en route to Palawan island when it went missing near Occidental Mindoro on Oct. 27. Onboard were 10 crewmen and cargo of over 100 water buffalos.

"Hindi pa rin winawala 'yung possibility na naka-pag shelter ito. Sa kasalukuyan, hindi ito maka-contact ng shipping company... Baka nasira 'yung kanilang communication," PCG spokesman commodore Algier Ricafrente said.

Ricafrente said the search continues until now, noting that no bodies have been found yet.

"So far, wala tayong nakikitang mga katawan na lumulutang... Tuloy-tuloy ang ating paghahanap," he said.

Ricafrente said the PCG did not receive distress call from the vessel before it went missing.

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"Sa panig ng PCG walang natanggap na distress call ng barko na ito," he said.

The PCG spokesman also explained why the vessel was allowed to sail even amid the bad weather.

"Ang intention ng vessel kaya pinayagan itong maglayag is to take shelter habang hindi pa sinasalanta ng bagyo ang area kung saan siya nanggaling... Ang information sa atin, nakapag-decide yung kapitan na instead of sailing dun sa port ay mag-take shelter sila dahil nakikita nila na mas safe sila," he said.

"Nagkasundo ang Kapitan at PCG na maaari silang mahagip ng sama ng panahon kaya nag-take shelter sila. Yun talaga ang ginagawa," he added. 

According to reports, MV Sta. Monica-A1, owned by Synergy Sea Venture Inc., departed from Sta. Cruz Port, Taytay, Palawan, and was en route to Casia to seek shelter due to adverse weather conditions.

In an earlier post, PCG Southern Tagalog cited reports of fishermen sighting alleged cadavers, dead animals, and other floating objects near Paluan.

Representatives of Synergy Sea Venture Inc. have coordinated with the PCG for updates, and search operations will persist, weather and sea conditions permitting.

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